Power train for horizontal earth boring machine

ABSTRACT

A portable earth boring machine adapted for horizontal boring of shafts for the insertion of pipelines in installations where excavation from the surface is undesirable. The machine is characterized by a detachably mounted engine frame portion that permits the transmission of power between the engine and the boring auger apparatus not only when the engine frame portion is mounted on said main frame portion at the boring location but also when said engine frame portion is detached and positioned at a location remote from the main frame means and boring auger apparatus. The machine is further characterized by a control means which permits variable speed control of the power train at the above mentioned locations.

United States Patent Richmond et al.

POWER TRAIN FOR HORIZONTAL EARTH BORING MACHINE Inventors: Albert R. Richmond, West Salem;

' William S. Appleman, Ashland, both of Ohio The Richmond Manufacturing Company, Ashland, Ohio Filed: Apr. 25, 1973 Appl. N0.: 354,387

Related US. Application Data Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 153,281, June 15, 1971, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 85,600, Oct. 30, 1970, Pat. No. 3,679,006.

Assignee:

US. Cl. 173/152; 175/122; 175/171; 299/30 Int. Cl. E2lc 1/10 Field of Search 173/154, 148, 152; 175/170, 171, 122; 214/1 CM References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1952 Williams et al. 175/171 '-12/1955 Goodrich et a1 175/122 X Oct. 14, 1975 3,232,360 2/1966 Dickerson 175/171 X 3,587,755 6/1971 Slusher 175/122 X 3,612,195 10/1971 Richmond 173/154 X 3,682,253 8/1972 Maclntosh et al. 173/93 X Primary Examiner-Frank C. Abbott Assistant Examiner-William F. Pate, III Attorney, Agent; or Firm--Palmer Fultz, Esq.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A portable earth boring machine adapted for horizontal boring of shafts for the insertion of pipelines in installations where excavation from the surface is undesirable. The machine is characterized by a detachably mounted engine frame portion that permits the transmission of power between the engine and the boring auger apparatus not only when the engine frame portion is mounted on said main frame portion at the boring location but also when said engine frame portion is detached and positioned at a location remote from the main frame means and boring auger apparatus. The machine is further characterized by a control means which permits variable speed control of the power train at the above mentioned locations.

8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 1 018 3,912,024

T R 21mm ALBER BY WILL/14M 51 A PPLEMAN AT ORNEYS US. Patent O ct.14, 1975 Shet20f8 3,912,024

INVENTOR.

ALBERT R. RICHMOND BY WILLIAMSAPPLEMAN \ZLZtL ATT RNEYS US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 3 of8 3,912,24

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ALBERT R kI ir o ivn BYw/LL/AM s APPLEMAN ATT RNEY5 IUHHII N g use U.S. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 4 of 8 3,912,024

INVENTOR. ALBERT R. RICHMOND WILL IAMS. APPLEMAN ATT RNEV US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 6 of8 3,912,024

ALBERT R. R)??? 8%;

A TTOzNEY US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 8 of8 3,912,024

POWER TRAIN FOR HORIZONTAL EARTH BORING MACHINE REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 153,281 filed June 15, 1971, now abandoned, which is in turn a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 85,600 filed Oct. 30, 1970, now US. Pat. No. 3,679,006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to portable earth boring machines and more particularly to a machineadapted for horizontal boring of shafts for the insertion of pipelines at installations where excavation from the surface is undesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, the machine of the present invention comprises a base means that includes spaced track members which are disposed in a trench adjacent the hill to be bored. The machine further includes a carriage means mounted for movement along the track means and such carriage supports a power train for rotating connected sections of auger shafts and an earth boring auger. The carriage further supports a pusher ring for driving sections of casings into the bored hole.

The present earth boring machine is of the same general type disclosed in the co-pending application of Albert R. Richmond, Ser. No. 867,816 filed Oct. 20,

1969, and in accordance with the present invention ineludes an improved power train for driving the sectional augers.

With machines of this general type, a problem has been encountered where the ground conditions make horizontal boring difficult. For example, in the New England states where the earth includes a high content of hard rock, the axial thrust on the power train caused by augers encountering rock has imposed axial thrust of high magnitude on the auger shaft and hence upon the gear reduction units located between the engine and the auger sections. Such high axial stresses have on occasion caused failure of such gear reduction units with resulting delay and an expense in replacing same.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an earth boring machine of the type described that comprises a novel variable location control means which selectively can be mounted either on the engine frame portion at a carriage mount position, at a remote location, on the pusher ring frame, or in fact at any selected location.

As another aspect of the present invention, the machine comprises a novel rugged thrust plate assembly and thrust bearing arranged to transmit the axial thrust from the auger directly to the carriage frame as it is advanced along the track means thereby isolating the gear reduction unit from excessive damaging axial thrust forces.

As another aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned thrust plate is also utilized to provide a rugged mount for the above mentioned casing pusher ring whereby the thrust encountered in pushing casings into the bored hole is more efficiently transmitted to the carriage frame.

As still another aspect of the present invention, the earth boring machine is provided with a novel power train that comprises variable volume fluid translating means driven by the engine and in driving relationship with the auger connecting shaft means whereby the boring auger can be driven at infinitely variable speeds.

As still another aspect of the present invention the present earth boring machine is provided with a main frame portion that supports said auger connecting shaft means, a detachably mounted engine frame portion, and a variable volume fluid translating means adapted for transmitting fluid power between the engine and the boring auger apparatus not only when the engine frame portion is mounted on said main frame portion at the boring location, but also when said engine frame portion is detached and positioned at a location remote from the main frame means and boring auger apparatus.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved earth boring machine of the type described wherein the power train includes a novel thrust plate and bearing assembly adapted to isolate elements of the power train from high axial thrust forces.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an earth boring machine of the type described wherein the thrust plate assembly is utilized to more efficiently transmit axial thrust from a casing pusher ring to the carriage means on which it is mounted.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an earth boring machine of the type described that includes a novel power train that is adapted to drive the earth boring auger at infinitely variable speeds.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of embodiment of the invention is clearly shown.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an earth boring machine constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the earth boring machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the thrust plate and bearing assembly comprising a portion of the machine of the preceding figures, the section being taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial side sectional view partially in section of a portion of the thrust plate and bearing assembly of FIG. 3, the section being taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modified earth boring machine shown in FIG. 6, with said view showing the engine and associated apparatus mounted at a location remote from the boring apparatus and casing pusher ring;

FIG. 6 is a partially broken side elevational view of the boring machine of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is a partially broken side elevational view showing another modified boring machine constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of an auger connecting shaft and associated thrust bearing comprising a portion of the boring machine of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified earth boring machine constructed in accordance with the present invention and showing the control means disposed at a selected remote location.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring in detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the complete horizontal earth boring machine of the present invention which comprises a base means indicated generally at 20. Such base means includes spaced longitudinally extending track means which support a carriage means indicated generally at 24.

The machine further includes an upper carriage frame portion 26 which is removably mounted on a lower carriage frame portion 28. Lower carriage frame portion 28 is provided with wheels 30 which roll along the tracks 22 and the upper carriage portion 26 can be removed from the lower carriage portion 28 by opening clamp and guide key assemblies 32. Such assemblies are disclosed and described in detail in the co-pending application of Albert R. Richmond, Ser. No. 867,816 filed Oct. 20, I969.

The carriage means 24 is advanced and retracted along track 22 by a hydraulic power cylinder, a portion of which is seen at 34 in FIG. 1. With such power cylinder being operatively connected between a power cylinder base 36 and the carriage means 24.

Details of the power cylinder 34 and power cylinder base 36 are disclosed and described in detail in the copending application of Albert R. Richmond, Ser. No. 867,816, filed Oct. 20, 1969.

It will further be seen that pressureized fluid for actuating power cylinder 34 is provided by a fluid power system including a pump 38 driven by an engine 40. The fluid power circuit further includes a control valve mechanism 42 and conduits 44 and 46 such that when control valve mechanism 42 is actuated the pushing cylinder 34 is extended or retracted so as to move carriage 24 forwardly or rearwardly along the track means.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the boring machine further includes a pusher ring 50 including a front annular surface 52 for engaging the sections of pipe casing for pushing such sections into the bored hole. Such pusher ring 50 includes the transverse pusher ring plate 60 and 92 which are backed up by a thrust plate 51 mounted on the carriage means with such thrust plate 51 serving as a mount for a thrust bearing assembly indicated at 72. The mechanism comprising the thrust plate 51, the thrust bearing assembly 72 mounted thereon, and the back up plates 90 which transmit the thrust from the auger connecting shaft 64 to the carriage means 24 and thereby isolate gear reduction unit 54 from the thrust.

It should further be mentioned, with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, that a slip clutch assembly 62 is provided between gear reduction unit 54 and the auger connecting shaft 64 such that in the event an overloaded condition occurs, then slip clutch 64 will permit the power train to function with the auger means on shaft 64 in a stalled condition without overloading and damaging the elements of the power train.

Reference is next made to FIG. 4 which illustrates in detail the above mentioned thrust transmitting assembly which includes the thrust plate 51 and the thrust bearing assembly mounted thereon and indicated generally at 72.

This assembly includes a base means bolted to thrust plate 51 by a plurality of bolts 86. A rotary shaft base 82 is welded to the rear end of auger connecting shaft 64 at a weld 84 with a conventional slip clutch assembly indicated generally at 62 being interposed between rotary shaft base 82 and auger connecting shaft 64.

A plurality of roller bearings are mounted between roller bearings 74 which are pressed into a recess in the thrust bearing base, FIG. 4, such that rotary y base 82 is free to be driven by an output shaft 78 of gear reduction unit 54 with such shaft 78 being keyed by its hexagonal shape within the bore 76 of rotary shaft base 82.

It should'be mentioned that the rearwardly extending annular flange of rotary shaft base 82 is extended freely through the hole in thrust plate 72.

Referring next to FIG. 3, the previously mentioned thrust plate 51 is rigidly mounted on upper carriage portion 26 of carriage means 24 by the generally triangular gusset plates 90. The forward ends of such gusset plates are welded to thrust plate 51 and the base edges of such gusset plates are welded to the top surface of the upper carriage portion.

It will now be understood that with thrust bearing assembly 62 being mounted on 'thrust plate 51 the entire thrust reaction from an auger connecting shaft 64 being transmitted to the base 20 via thrust bearing base means, thrust plate 51, gusset plates 90, upper carriage portion 26, carriage means 24, and energized carriage driving cylinder 34, the latter being connected to base means 20 by power cylinder base 36.

It should be mentioned that auger connecting shaft 64 is preferably provided with a hexagonal socket 66 for receiving the hexagonal end of the rearmost auger section.

A typical auger construction for connection with the machine of the present invention is disclosed and described in detail in the co-pending application of Albert R. Richmond, Ser. No. 85,614 filed Oct. 30, I970.

Reference is next made to FIGS. 5 and 6 which illustrate a modified boring machine constructed in accordance with the present invention which includes as in the previous embodiment, a base means that forms spaced track means 22. Here again a carriage or main frame means indicated generally at 24-A is mounted for travel on the spaced track members 22 of the base means 20 and said carriage 24-A is provided with pushing cylinders 34 which have their bases connected with a progressively advanceable pusher base 36. The details of said pusher base are disclosed and described in detail in the co-pending application of Albert R. Richmond, Ser. No. 867,815 filed Oct. 20, I969.

As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, an engine driven hydrau i: pump 38 for the pushing cylinders 34 is connected to said cylinders either by short hydraulic lines 35 and 37 or be remote hydraulic lines 35-A and 37-A.

It should be mentioned that when the boring machine embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 and the boring machine embodiment of FIG. 7 are mounted on carriage or frame means 24-A with auxiliary frame means 122 in its mounted position a short pressurized line 35 leading from the pump to pushing cylinders 34 is used and return line 37 (not illustrated) is connected to reservoir 1 12.

When, however, auxiliary engine frame 122 is positioned in a remote location, at a grade level outside the ditch, auxiliary lines 35-A, pressurized from the pump 38, pushing cylinders34 and auxiliary return line 37-A are installed such that the power for the pushing cylinders 34, which advance carriage 24-A, can function from a remote location.

Referring again to FIGS. 5 and 6, auxiliary frame means 122 can be removed from the carriage or main frame means 24-A by means of a detachable clamp means 32 and thereby remove said frame means from the boring location configuration of FIG. 6 to the remote configuration of FIG. 5.

When such remote boring operation is being effected, it will be noted from FIG. 5 that the boring and pushing apparatus including the auger 123 and pusher ring 50 are disposed adjacent to the hole 120 being bored into which the casing sections 121 are being successively pushed by the pusher ring assembly indicated generally at 50.

With continued reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, this modified earth boring machine comprises a fixed displacement fluid motor 102 which is connected to the output of a variable displacement pump 100 via line 103 and fluid motor 102 is drained back to tank or reservoir 112 by return conduit 107.

It should be mentioned that a typical example of a variable displacement pump is disclosed and described in detail in the US. Pat. No. 3,183,847 issued May 18, 1965.

In this embodiment, and in view of the fluid power connection between variable pump 100 and fixed fluid motor 102, the previously described slip clutch indicated generally at 62 in FIG. 4 can be eliminated since, in the event that unyielding obstructions are encountered in boring, the variable fluid drive of the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 can prevent overload by bypassing hydraulic fluid via a pressure relief valve means.

It should be mentioned that a typical example of fluid motors 102 and 105 is disclosed and described in detail in the US Pat. No. 3,246,575 issued Apr. 19, 1966.

It should be further mentioned that in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, wherein the relatively large fixed displacement motor 102 is used, a modified thrust bearing is incorporated between auger connecting shaft 64 and thrust plate 51 wherein an axially disposed radial bearing comprising the bearing plates 74 and rollers 80 is disposed between a front flange 82 and a rear bearing flange directly attached to thrust plate 51.

In FIG. 8 it will be noted that the same male connector shaft 78 is utilized between fluid motor 102 and the driven flange 82 of the thrust bearing assembly of FIG. 8.

With continued reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, the previously described pusher ring assembly 50 and pusher ring or thrust plate 51 are utilized with said plate 51 being braced by the gussets 90, FIG. 1, with such gussets being shown removed in FIG. 6 so as to more clearly illustrate the components of the hydrostatic drive.

It should be mentioned that these gussets are shown in position in FIG. 5 so as to provide axial bracing between pusher ring plate 51 and carriage 24-A such that the axial thrust imposed on the power train and pusher ring during boring of the hole and pushing of the casing is most efficiently transmitted to the carriage means 24-A.

Referring again to FIG. 6, it will be noted that the machine is provided with a control valve means indicated generally at 42 that includes levers for pressurizing and draining the fluid delivery for the pump 38 that drives the pushing cylinders 34.

It should also be noted from FIG. 6 that the machine is provided with a control lever 104 for varying the volumetric displacement from variable displacement pump such that the rotational speed of fluid motor 102 can be infinitely varied within the limits of a preselected fixed range of operation.

Reference is next made to FIG. 7 which illustrates still another modified'boring machine which is similar to the modification of FIGS. 5 and 6 except that the gear reducer 54 of FIG. 1 is incorporated on the assembly of auger connecting shaft 64 and pusher ring 50 which here again are removably mounted by the attaching means 32. If desired, front slip clutch 62 can be used as in the embodiment of FIGS. 14.

With further reference to FIG. 7 since the gear reduction unit 54 of FIG. 1 is used, a relatively small fixed displacement motor can be substituted for the relatively large fluid motor 102 of FIGS. 5 and 6.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, fixed displacement motor 105 is connected to the same pressurized line 103 connected to the outlet of variable displacement pump 100 and to the same return line 107 leading from fluid motor 105 back to resservoir 112.

It should also be mentioned that with the embodiment of FIG. 7 the pressurized line 103 from variable pump 100 to motor 105 and return lines 107 from said motor to reservoir 112 can be replaced by the relatively long lines 103-A and l07-A of FIG. 5 such that the embodiment of FIG. 7 can selectively be used for operations where auxiliary frame 122 is disposed at a location remote from the boring and pushing apparatus previously described.

Reference is next made to FIG. 9 which illustrates still another modified boring machine which includes all of the basic components previously described with respect to FIG. 5. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 9 the machine is provided with a new remote control means 134 which includes only a control valve for the variable speed drive, such control means 134 further including a manually actuated lever 136 for controlling the flow delivered by variable volume pump 100, FIG. 6, from the pump 38 via lines 130, 132, 138 and 140. Line 132 is the pressure line from variable pump 100 to fluid motor 102, line is the return line to reservoir 112, and lines 138 and 140 are control flow lines between remote control means 134 and variable displacement pump 100.

It should be mentioned that control means 134 for the motor can selectively be positioned on a control base 154 and retained thereon by clamps 156. Such control means 134 can also be mounted on the pusher ring frame on base 158 and removably retained thereon by clamps 160.

As still another alternative control means 134 can be utilized at any remote location as illustrated on the pedestal mount in front of the operator as seen in FIG. 9.

In instances where the control system of FIG. 9 is used, it should further be mentioned that the pusher cylinder is controlled by a separate control means 142 including a pusher cylinder control lever 144. Such pusher control cylinder control 142 is preferably mounted on the pusher ring frame means as shown in FIG. 9 and controls the flow to and from pump 38 and pusher cylinders 34 via lines 146, 148, and 152.

While the forms of embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosed constitute preferred forms,

it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

What I claim is:

1. A portable earth boring machine comprising, in combination, track means; main frame means mounted for movement along said track means; auxiliary frame means for disposition in a location remote from said main frame means; a control mount on certain of said frame means; an engine mounted on said auxiliary frame means; variable volume pump means mounted on said auxiliary frame means and driven by said engine; control means for said pump means, said control means being removably mountable on said control mount and disposable in a control location remote from said main frame portion; fluid motor means mounted on said main frame means; flexible conduit means for connecting said fluid motor means in a fluid system with said pump means; a thrust plate forwardly of said fluid motor means; thrust bearing means mounted on said thrust plate; auger connecting shaft means including a front end for connection with an earth boring auger and a rear end including a bearing engaging shoulder abutting said thrust bearing means and a driven connection with said fluid motor; and fluid conduit means in said fluid system connecting said fluid motor in remote driven relationship with said pump means, said control means being operative in said fluid system for controlling the speed of said fluid motor means when said control means is in said control location.

2. A portable earth boring machine comprising, in combination, track means; frame means mounted for movement along said track means, including a removable engine frame portion and a control mount; an engine means carried by said engine frame portion; variable volume pump means carried by said engine frame portion; control means for said pump means, said control means being removably mounted on said control mount and disposable in a control location remote from said engine frame portion; fluid motor means mounted on said frame means and connected in a fluid system with said pump means; a gear reduction unit mounted on said frame means and including a gear re duction input shaft driven by said fluid motor and a gear reduction output shaft; a thrust plate forwardly of said gear reduction unit; thrust bearing means mounted on said thrust plate; auger connecting shaft means including a front end for connection with an earth boring auger and a rear end including a bearing engaging shoulder abutting said thrust bearing means and a coupling portion in driven connection with said gear reduction output shaft; detachable mounting means for removing said engine frame portion, engine, and pump means to an engine frame location remote from the other above mentioned components of said machine when said machine is disposed in an earth boring location; and fluid conduit means in said fluid system connecting said fluid motor in remote driven relationship with said pump means, said control means being operative in said fluid system for controlling the speed of said fluid motor means when said control means is in said control location.

3. A portable earth boring machine comprising, in combination, track means; frame means including a main frame portion mounted for movement along said track means and an engine frame portion; a control mount on one of said engine frame portions; an engine mounted on said engine frame portion; auger connecting shaft means carried by said main frame portion including a front end for connection with an earth boring auger and a driven rear end; variable volume fluid translating means driven by said engine and mounted on certain of said frame portions and including a fluid motor in driving relationship with said driven rear end of said auger connecting shaft means, said engine frame portion being positionable in an engine frame location remote from the other above mentioned components of said machine when said machine is disposed in an earth boring location; fluid conduit means connecting components of said fluid translating means in said earth boring location with components of said fluid translating means in said remote engine frame location; and control means for said variable volume fluid translating means, said control means being removably mountable on said control mount and disposable in a remote control location and operative in controlling the speed of said fluid motor from said remote control location.

4. A portable earth boring machine comprising, in combination, track means; frame means mounted for movement along said track means, including a removable engine frame portion and a control mount; an engine means carried by said engine frame portion, variable volume pump means carried by said engine frame portion; control means for said pump means, said control means being removably mountable on said control mount and disposable in a remote location; fluid motor means mounted on said frame means and connected in a fluid system with said pump means; auger connecting shaft means including a front end for connection with an earth boring auger and a rear end driven by said fluid motor means; a casing pusher ring mounted on said frame means in surrounding relationship with said auger connecting shaft means; detachable mounting means for removing said engine frame portion, engine, and pump means to a location remote from the other above mentioned components of said machine when said machine is disposed in an earth boring location; and fluid conduit means in said fluid system connecting said fluid motor in remote driven relationship with said pump means, said control means being operative in said fluid system for controlling the speed of said fluid motor means when said control means is in said remote location.

5. The apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein said frame means includes a pusher ring frame portion; and a control mount on said pusher ring frame for the selective mounting and removal of said control means.

6. The apparatus defined in claim 5 which includes a pusher cylinder for advancing and retracting the frame means along the track means; and a pusher cylinder control means mounted on said pusher ring frame.

7. A portable earth boring machine comprising, in combination, track means; frame means including a main frame portion mounted for movement along said track means and an engine frame portion; an engine mounted on said engine frame portion; auger connecting shaft means carried by said main frame portion including a front end for connection with an earth boring auger and a driven rear end; variable volume fluid translating means driven by said engine and mounted on certain of said frame portions and including a fluid motor in driving relationship with said driven rear end of said auger connecting shaft means, said engine frame portion being positionable in an engine frame location fluid motor from said remote control location, said frame means including a pusher ring frame portion; and a control mount on said pusher ring frame for the selective mounting and removal of said control means.

8. The apparatus defined in claim 7 which includes a pusher cylinder for advancing and retracting the frame means along the track means; and a pusher cylinder control means mounted on said pusher ring frame. l =l l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent NO, 3,912 ,0 4 Dated October 14 1975 Albert R. Richmond et al Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 8, "20" should read 22 Column 3, line 56, "64" should read 62 Column 4, line 12, "72" should read 51 Column 4, line 21, "62" should read 72 Column 6, line 43, cancel from the pump 38 via lines 130 132, 13s and 140 Signed and Scaled this Twenty-seventh Day Of July 1976 [SEAL] Arrest:

C. MARSHALL DANN (mmnissium'r oj'Parents and Trademarks RUTH C. MASON Arresting Officer 

1. A portable earth boring machine comprising, in combination, track means; main frame means mounted for movement along said track means; auxiliary frame means for disposition in a location remote from said main frame means; a control mount on certain of said frame means; an engine mounted on said auxiliary frame means; variable volume pump means mounted on said auxiliary frame means and driven by said engine; control means for said pump means, said control means being removably mountable on said control mount and disposable in a control location remote from said main frame portion; fluid motor means mounted on said main frame means; flexible conduit means for connecting said fluid motor means in a fluid system with said pump means; a thrust plate forwardly of said fluid motor means; thrust bearing means mounted on said thrust plate; auger connecting shaft means including a front end for connection with an earth boring auger and a rear end including a bearing engaging shoulder abutting said thrust bearing means and a driven connection with said fluid motor; and fluid conduit means in said fluid system connecting said fluid motor in remote driven relationship with said pump means, said control means being operative in said fluid system for controlling the speed of said fluid motor means when said control means is in said control location.
 2. A portable earth boring machine comprising, in combination, track means; frame means mounted for movement along said track means, including a removable engine frame portion and a control mount; an engine means carried by said engine frame portion; variable volume pump means carried by said engine frame portion; control means for said pump means, said control means being removably mounted on said control mount and disposable in a control location remote from said engine frame portion; fluid motor means mounted on said frame means and connected in a fluid system with said pump means; a gear reduction unit mounted on said frame means and including a gear reduction input shaft driven by said fluid motor and a gear reduction output shaft; a thrust plate forwardly of said gear reduction unit; thrust bearing means mounted on said thrust plate; auger connecting shaft means including a front end for connection with an earth boring auger and a rear end including a bearing engaging shoulder abutting said thrust bearing means and a coupling portion in driven connection with said gear reduction output shaft; detachable mounting means for removing said engine frame portion, engine, and pump means to an engine frame location remote from the other abOve mentioned components of said machine when said machine is disposed in an earth boring location; and fluid conduit means in said fluid system connecting said fluid motor in remote driven relationship with said pump means, said control means being operative in said fluid system for controlling the speed of said fluid motor means when said control means is in said control location.
 3. A portable earth boring machine comprising, in combination, track means; frame means including a main frame portion mounted for movement along said track means and an engine frame portion; a control mount on one of said engine frame portions; an engine mounted on said engine frame portion; auger connecting shaft means carried by said main frame portion including a front end for connection with an earth boring auger and a driven rear end; variable volume fluid translating means driven by said engine and mounted on certain of said frame portions and including a fluid motor in driving relationship with said driven rear end of said auger connecting shaft means, said engine frame portion being positionable in an engine frame location remote from the other above mentioned components of said machine when said machine is disposed in an earth boring location; fluid conduit means connecting components of said fluid translating means in said earth boring location with components of said fluid translating means in said remote engine frame location; and control means for said variable volume fluid translating means, said control means being removably mountable on said control mount and disposable in a remote control location and operative in controlling the speed of said fluid motor from said remote control location.
 4. A portable earth boring machine comprising, in combination, track means; frame means mounted for movement along said track means, including a removable engine frame portion and a control mount; an engine means carried by said engine frame portion, variable volume pump means carried by said engine frame portion; control means for said pump means, said control means being removably mountable on said control mount and disposable in a remote location; fluid motor means mounted on said frame means and connected in a fluid system with said pump means; auger connecting shaft means including a front end for connection with an earth boring auger and a rear end driven by said fluid motor means; a casing pusher ring mounted on said frame means in surrounding relationship with said auger connecting shaft means; detachable mounting means for removing said engine frame portion, engine, and pump means to a location remote from the other above mentioned components of said machine when said machine is disposed in an earth boring location; and fluid conduit means in said fluid system connecting said fluid motor in remote driven relationship with said pump means, said control means being operative in said fluid system for controlling the speed of said fluid motor means when said control means is in said remote location.
 5. The apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein said frame means includes a pusher ring frame portion; and a control mount on said pusher ring frame for the selective mounting and removal of said control means.
 6. The apparatus defined in claim 5 which includes a pusher cylinder for advancing and retracting the frame means along the track means; and a pusher cylinder control means mounted on said pusher ring frame.
 7. A portable earth boring machine comprising, in combination, track means; frame means including a main frame portion mounted for movement along said track means and an engine frame portion; an engine mounted on said engine frame portion; auger connecting shaft means carried by said main frame portion including a front end for connection with an earth boring auger and a driven rear end; variable volume fluid translating means driven by said engine and mounted on certain of said frame portions and including a fluid motor in driving relationship with said driven reaR end of said auger connecting shaft means, said engine frame portion being positionable in an engine frame location remote from the other above mentioned components of said machine when said machine is disposed in an earth boring location; fluid conduit means connecting components of said fluid translating means in said earth boring location with components of said fluid translating means in said remote engine frame location; control means for said variable volume fluid translating means, said control means being disposable in a remote control location and operative in controlling the speed of said fluid motor from said remote control location, said frame means including a pusher ring frame portion; and a control mount on said pusher ring frame for the selective mounting and removal of said control means.
 8. The apparatus defined in claim 7 which includes a pusher cylinder for advancing and retracting the frame means along the track means; and a pusher cylinder control means mounted on said pusher ring frame. 